((Idk what I'm doing, but I'm doing something and I'm going with it.))

"Run."

The word was a shotgun blast to a stained glass window that stood tall above the ceremonial hymnals sang below. It was as if the shards rained down and stuck into those holy notes pinning to them to ground like a crucifixion. But here not even God could save them. No power was strong enough to wipe away the blood, sweat, tears, and death that clung to them like the plague--festering and leaking with pain and suffering, hoping to be coddled by the affection of someone that would only be killed hours later. Nothing could mend their lives and give them happy ones. What was left of their flaming youth was now nothing but a drifting ember struggling to stay lit in a downpour of fear. This small speck of heat was the one thing that kept their blood pumping at the moment the command to run was given.

But in moments instance, as they ran, it was as if Prometheus took pity on their souls and gave them the gift of a raging inferno that shot through their veins and blazed the path beneath their feet. This small band of teens were pumping their arms, propelling themselves forward and forcing themselves to move faster. There was four of them. They were all that made it out. They were the only four able to escape. And now these robotic dogs, eyes blazing red with LEDs, and metal hind legs pushing them faster, chased them. Their metallic jaws slammed down behind them, nearly catching one of the groupie's heels. The beasts' roared loudly, straining to lunge forward, but the group managed to stay ahead, well all but one.

The purple haired one of the group cried out, she was tore to the ground like an anchor is to the ocean floor. Her leg was twisted 360 degrees by the ferocious jaws of the animal. Her skin split open like tissue paper met with a rose bush. The bone cracked and popped as the metal teeth chomped away at her. Her arm was taken by one of the others and soon the three robots were busy tearing the girl to shreds.
"Anya!!" The other girl screamed, halting for a moment before being jerked back into the run by the boy leading.
"Rene, we can't save her!" he commanded, forcing her to move forward. The three were back on the path.

Rene managed to hold back her tears. Anya, a girl they had become acquainted with only minutes before their escape, seemed to be gentle, yet only served as a distraction--one that allowed them to live. The trio was running but their undernourished bodies was running low on sugar supply to keep them gassed up, and their adrenaline was fading...they had to find shelter--soon.

And soon enough, the three came upon the city. A giant metropolis with grand, shining giants that stood high kissing the sky. It was dilapidated, but its beauty shined through the rust and ash and crumbing environment. Before anyone could speak or ask, the boy that had lead them out of the prison held up a finger and pointed toward the open store that was linked to many others who hand collapsed on themselves.

--

Three managed to block the entrance and set up a well off shelter for the night. There was no doubt they'd end up being looked for. But tonight, they could rest. Well the best they could. Their leader had sat quiet on a giant block of cement that fell from the roof, while the other male had vomited at least five times in the past two hours at the haunting image of Anya's death. Rene, the only other named person, sat quietly in the dark. She knew escaping would mean they'd have to survive on their own, but there would be no more beds, no more warm showers, no more...anything. And here she was, surrounded by strangers.
"So what are both of your names?" she murmured, her voice empty in mourning of the one they lost.
The one who was leading said in a hushed tone,"Dante.."
"Bentley..."
"I'm Rene..." answered.

For the rest of the night, they slept in shifts...well slept is pushing it. More of a drifting in and out of unsettling sobs. This marked the first day they were free. The first day out of prison.

And the first step into Hell.